How family builds faith—and faith builds family

In his latest newsletter, missionary David Ernst shares a touching story from La Caramuca, Venezuela—how one family’s faith journey has grown across generations, and how their faith has, in turn, strengthened their family bonds.

On Easter Sunday 2025, Alfonso Torres was officially received into church membership. But Alfonso is no stranger to the Lutheran community—nor is his family. In fact, five of his children were among the first to be baptized in the mission on March 25, 2007: Yexi Karina, Deisy Yovana, Yaneth Andreina, Yovanny Javier, and Jhonny Alexander.

Pastor David explains that Yaneth was the youngest at 18 months. Deisy brought Yaneth to our Sunday school classes and, from 2 to 6 years of age, Yaneth was a student in our preschool. Deisy and Yovanny received first communion on October 25, 2009 (Reformation Sunday). Jhonny received first communion on October 31, 2010 (again Reformation Sunday). 

Alfonso and his wife, Maria Cecilia, welcomed another daughter, Diana Carolina, and she was baptized on January 8, 2017 (the dedication of their current sanctuary). Diana also would attend their Sunday school and preschool. She received first communion on October 31, 2021.

Deisy’s daughter, Emely Antonella Estrada Torres, was baptized on December 24, 2017. Two more of Alfonso and Maria Cecilia’s grandchildren, Jesuly and Josué Fernández Torres, were baptized on January 6, 2019. They received Maria Cecilia into membership by reaffirmation of faith on September 15, 2024.

“The Torres are an example of how family can strengthen the faith and faith can strengthen the family. The great outflow of people from Venezuela has had a devastating effect on many marriages, which have not survived lengthy separations. Of the Torres children, only Yaneth and Diana remain in La Caramuca, but we give thanks to God that they have a home with both parents present and a church home in our mission,” Pastor David reflects.

This testimony is perfectly captured in the words of Joshua 24:15: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

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